Weekend Inshore Fishing with Captain Larry
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour morning charter targeting redfish, trout, and black drumFully equipped 24-foot Haynie boat with all tackle providedAccommodates up to five guests with optional Port Aransas pickup
Looking for a solid weekend morning on the water? Captain Larry's got you covered with a 4-hour guided fishing trip that targets some of the Texas coast's most sought-after inshore species. Based out of the Port Aransas and Rockport area, this customer favorite puts you right in the heart of prime redfish, speckled trout, and black drum territory. You'll fish from a fully equipped 24-foot Haynie boat that's built for these shallow waters, and Larry provides all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need. Just grab your fishing license, pack some drinks and snacks, and get ready to work the flats and grass beds where these fish love to hang out.
This top-rated charter is set up perfectly for two anglers, though Captain Larry can squeeze in up to three additional guests if your crew wants to make it a group thing. The 24-foot Haynie is a proven workhorse in these waters – shallow draft, stable platform, and rigged with everything you need for a productive morning. You'll launch early to beat the heat and catch the fish when they're most active. Larry knows these waters like the back of his hand, from the grass flats around Port Aransas to the shallow bays near Rockport. He'll position you over productive structure, adjust tactics based on conditions, and keep you on fish throughout the morning. If you need a ride to the boat, he offers optional pickup from Fisherman's Wharf in Port Aransas for a small fee – pretty convenient if you're staying nearby and don't want to deal with trailer ramps.
Inshore fishing in this area is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish are doing. Captain Larry runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what's biting. You might find yourself working topwater plugs over grass beds at first light, switching to soft plastics when the fish go deeper, or drifting live bait along drop-offs and channel edges. The Haynie's shallow draft lets Larry get into skinny water where bigger fish often cruise, but it's stable enough to fish comfortably in choppier conditions too. He keeps a full arsenal of tackle on board – everything from weedless spoons for working heavy grass to jigs and gulp baits for finicky trout. Larry adjusts the game plan throughout the trip based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling him. This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach – it's about adapting to conditions and putting you on the best bite possible.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Texas inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in this area, with plenty of slot fish and the occasional bull red to keep things interesting. They're most active during moving tides, especially around dawn and dusk, which makes this morning trip perfectly timed. Reds love structure – oyster reefs, grass beds, and shallow flats where they can ambush baitfish. What makes them so exciting is their fight – they'll make powerful runs and use their broad sides to pull drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within the slot limit.
Speckled trout are the other mainstay, and Captain Larry's waters hold some beautiful fish. These spotted predators typically run 15-20 inches, with trophy trout over 25 inches definitely possible, especially during cooler months. Specks are structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, oyster reefs, and drop-offs near deeper water. They're most active during low-light periods and moving water, making early morning prime time. What anglers love about trout fishing is the variety – you might catch them on topwater, soft plastics, or live bait, and they provide steady action when you find a school.
Black drum round out the target species and provide some serious pulling power. These bottom-dwelling fighters can range from smaller "puppy drum" up to heavyweight bulls that'll test your gear. They're year-round residents in these waters, though spring and fall typically offer the best action. Black drum are suckers for fresh bait – blue crab and shrimp are hard to beat – and they're often found around structure in deeper pockets. What makes them special is their raw strength and the challenge of getting them away from structure once hooked. They're also underrated on the dinner table, especially the smaller ones.
Captain Larry's weekend morning trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot. This world-class inshore experience gives you four solid hours on some of the Texas coast's most productive waters, with a guide who knows how to put you on fish. The all-inclusive setup means you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about gear, and the flexible group size makes it work for couples or small groups. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so plan accordingly. Whether you're after your first redfish, looking to land a trophy trout, or just want to spend a quality morning on the water, this Port Aransas and Rockport charter delivers the goods. Book your spot now and get ready for some of the best inshore fishing the Texas coast has to offer.
Step aboard our 2023 24-foot Haynie catamaran for a productive morning targeting the flats and back bays around Port Aransas and Rockport. This shallow-draft boat gets you into prime redfish water where the big fish feed, plus it's stable enough for comfortable casting all morning long. The GPS keeps us on the productive spots while the fish finder helps locate schools of trout and drum holding in the deeper pockets. With space for up to two anglers, there's plenty of room to work lures and live bait without getting tangled up. The Haynie's quiet approach won't spook fish in skinny water, and the elevated casting platform gives you clear sight lines to spot tailing reds. Whether we're drifting grass flats for specks or sight-casting to drum in the shallows, this boat handles the Texas coast's varying conditions with ease.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 50+ pounds. These powerhouse fish love shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they crush crabs and shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're tremendous fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to trick? Use fresh peeler crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near oyster bars. They're bottom feeders, so keep that bait down where they're looking for food.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our flats fishing, with their copper-bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-28 inches, but we see plenty of slot-busters too. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them around oyster reefs, grass beds, and muddy shorelines. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times when they're most active. What guests love most is watching these fish cruise the shallows and seeing that explosive strike on topwater lures. Plus, slot-sized fish are fantastic eating. Pro tip: cast ahead of cruising fish and let your lure sit still until they get close, then give it just a twitch.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are some of the prettiest fish we catch, with their silver sides covered in black spots. Most run 14-20 inches and fight way above their weight class. These fish love grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and sandy potholes. Cool mornings and evenings are prime time, and they really turn on during moving tides. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. They're also one of the most willing biters we target. Here's a local secret: when the water's calm, work a topwater plug over the grass beds at first light. The strikes are explosive and you'll see them coming from underneath.
Rockport, TX